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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — The deadline to register for Hurricane Sandy disaster assistance has been extended 30 days to Feb. 27, the
Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) announced Friday.

The deadline had been set for Jan. 28, but FEMA approved the 30-day extension at the request of New York State. Westchester is one of 13 counties in the state that were
declared disaster areas
after Hurricane Sandy, making it eligible for federal disaster assistance.

The other designated counties are the Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan and Ulster.

Federal assistance can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal-property losses and other disaster-related needs that are not covered by family or individual insurance.

FEMA also approved a 14-day extension to the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program, which allows eligible Hurricane Sandy survivors whose houses have been severely damaged or destroyed to stay in a hotel or motel for a limited time. FEMA covers the cost of the room and taxes paid, but not meals, telephone calls and other incidental charges.

The new checkout date for applicants staying in hotels or motels under this program is Sunday, Feb. 10.

All TSA applicants currently staying in hotels or motels will be evaluated for continued eligibility while FEMA and its state and local partners work to identify longer-term housing solutions.

As of Thursday 5,564 residents had registered for disaster aid in Westchester County. FEMA has distributed more than $850 million in aid statewide and approved $1,314,038 in disaster relief to Westchester County residents.

After registering, applicants who receive letters from FEMA are encouraged to return documentation to become eligible for other assistance. Some will receive an SBA low-interest disaster-loan application. It’s important to return the application because it may lead to additional FEMA assistance. Applicants are not required to accept loans.

For more information, call 800-621-3362, or call the SBA at 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339). People who use 7-1-1 Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) may call800-621-3362 as well.